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Happy Pride (June pride is the only element of American cultural imperialism recognised by the Mixed Bag crew). We're celebrating by watching... a movie that was widely protested by the gay community when it was released?
That film is Cruising, a William Friedkin joint where Al Pacino goes undercover in the Meatpacking District to catch a gay serial killer. Or is he the gay serial killer himself?
The essay Cass finds at the end of the episode is also worth a read, and can be found here.
Over in the Pop Corner, we talk The Boys in the Band (1970), Disclosure Day, the mobile game Cats & Soup: Magic Recipe [please help I am addicted], The Christophers, ""sport"" including ""the Hurricanes"", Kissing Jessica Stein (2001), the short documentary "He Won't Stop Building a Map to an Imaginary Place" by People Make Games, and reaction videos of people listening to Olivia Rodrigo's you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love.
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The final episode of Demisexual is here! And for the first time in the miniseries, Demi isn't the main character. But where does this performance fit in our Demisexual Rankings? You'll have to wait until the end of the episode to see.
"The Angels are charged with finding a pair of missing rings that are encoded with the personal information of members of the Witness Protection Program. As informants are killed, the ladies target a rogue agent who might be responsible." (Sourced from Letterboxd).
Over in the Pop Corner, we talk Tiny Bookshop, Battlestar Galactica (2004-09), Mother Mary, Backrooms, The Christophers, the recent Wellington Film Society mini-festival, and Olivia Rodrigo's new album you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love (which Cass can confirm she has also listened to now and also thinks is great, especially the first part).
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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We're still Demi-sexual here on Mixed Bag, and this time we look at the film infamous for inadvertently leading to the 2022 Oscars Slap: G. I. Jane.
"In response to political pressure from Senator Lillian DeHaven, the U.S. Navy begins a program that would allow for the eventual integration of women into its combat services. The program begins with a single trial candidate, Lieutenant Jordan OโNeil, who is chosen specifically for her femininity. OโNeil enters the grueling Navy SEAL training program under the command of Master Chief John James Urgayle, who unfairly pushes OโNeil until her determination wins his respect." (Sourced from Letterboxd). We talk about whether this film really goes into the true horrors faced by women in the military, what G. I. even means and why all three of us thought that the final scene of this film was implying a surprise gay twist.
Plus, we talk through some of our recent watches: short discussions of The Sheep Detectives, Caterpillar, Cover Up, Magellan, My Cousin Rachel (2017), Battle of the Sexes (2017), Misericordia (2024), True Grit (2010) and Obsession. Jamie and Matt offer their defence of Peter Hujar's Day, while Cass still thinks it is exquisitely boring. In the TV world, we talk Wie is de Mol?, Survivor and Ready Gamer Mum. And Jamie grants Rita Bullwinkel honorary trans status in admiration of her short story series Belly Up.
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We continue the Demi Moore miniseries with a movie that made many viewers question their values, and made Cass question where she could get a cool backpack/vest/saddlebag combo. As Letterboxd says: "John Gage offers a down-on-his-luck yuppie husband $1 million for the opportunity to spend the night with the manโs wife." Would you take the money?
We also talk about the Rise of the Golden Idol video game series, music documentaries Little Richard: I Am Everything, It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley and Luther: Never Too Much, Ball of Fire (1941), Julio Torres' Color Theories, Chris Fleming: Live at the Palace, Kimberly Bellflower's John Proctor is the Villain, Saraid de Silva's Amma, Resident Evil 4 and its upcoming movie adaptation. Plus for some reason Jamie delivers a full beat-by-beat recap of Species (1995).
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OOOoooooOOOoooOOH! Is it spooky season!? No, it's just time for the second instalment in our Demi Moore series, Demisexual.
"After a young man is murdered, his spirit stays behind to warn his lover of impending danger, with the help of a reluctant psychic" (Letterboxd). We clearly have a lot to say about Sam Wheat and his otherworldly antics. Apologies for the occasional loud storm sounds -- the night after we recorded this, a massive flood came and ruined several of Jamie & Cass's neighbours' homes. We're fine though!
Over in the Pop Corner, we chat The Pitt, James Whale's Universal Monster movies (specifically The Old Dark House (1932) and the iconic queen Ernest Thesiger), In the Mood for Love (2000), The Cell (2000), The Cranes Are Flying (1957), this year's Snapshot Shorts, The Old Cold Hearts Club, Mr. Nobody Against Putin, and new albums from Robyn, Raye, Hilary Duff and Slater.
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It's the first instalment of our latest miniseries: DEMISEXUAL. That's right, we're celebrating the life and career of Ms. Demi Moore, starting right here at her first feature film appearance St Elmo's Fire.
Letterboxd has a very long summary for this one, so we'll just say that it's about seven friends in their post-university era, trying to get their lives and love lives together. Also, most of the men should be in jail!!!!!!!
In the Pop Corner, we chat Green Snake (1993), Project Hail Mary, After the Hunt (2025), Stick It (2006), I Swear (2025), the pro-shot of Merrily We Roll Along, a recent concert from the Mountain Goats, and a prolonged discussion of The Drama. We do get into spoiler territory for The Drama at a certain point, so feel free to skip ahead to 32:19 if you want to go in fresh!
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"Oh... they're the IRA." โ Matt Loveranes, 2026
It's a Cass pick, which means you know it'll either be animated, a musical, or an obscure period piece (shout out Dean Spanley). Today's film is definitely in the third category and comes straight from Year 11 history class.
"Michael Collins plays a crucial role in the establishment of the Irish Free State in the 1920s, but becomes vilified by those hoping to create a completely independent Irish republic," says Letterboxd. Not a word on the smouldering sexual tension between Michael and his bestie Harry Boland? Say it ain't so!
Over in the Pop Corner, we chat Oscars, the book Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson, Two People Exchanging Saliva, the game Book of Hours, Song Sung Blue, Arrival (2016), Woodenhead (2003), Pillion and the graphic novels Witch's Egg (Donya Todd) and Kill Six Billion Demons (Tom Bloom). We also return to our discussions of The Bride and The Testament of Ann Lee, now that more hosts have seen the films. Also, Cass presents some strong evidence to prove that Christopher Luxon is a huge F1 fan (derogatory, on both sides).
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It's Matt's personal pick, and in honour of the upcoming Oscars he's decided to go back to where it all began... "it" being Amy Adams' long unfinished road toward Oscar glory.
On the way to meet with an independent artist in the South, newlywed art dealer Madeleine is convinced by her husband, George, that they should stop to meet his family in North Carolina. Madeleineโs affluent lifestyle clashes with the family, but she befriends Georgeโs wide-eyed and pregnant sister-in-law, Ashley, who is nearing her due date. Through the family, Madeleine gains greater insight into Georgeโs character. (Sourced from Letterboxd).
Turns out a lot of people over on Letterboxd think this movie is really boring? Not so our three hosts, who are all in for a movie about complex family dynamics that doesn't make the same mistakes certain other films made (*cough* The Family Stone *cough*).
Over in the Pop Corner we talk recent gigs (The Beths and Laneway festival), Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, the video game TR-49, The Bride (brain attack!), Sirฤt, the Wellington Central Library reopening, No Other Choice, The Testament of Ann Lee, The Moment and a long discussion of the Khia Asylum. Matt and Cass also discover their mutual love of Minute Cryptic. Download that app, Baguettes, it's free!
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It's a totemic film for Jamie, who has been working on her Katharine Hepburn impression since childhood. But truly, how many times can someone say "You old poop!" with a straight face? We (attempt) to keep a tally.
For Norman and Ethel Thayer, this summer on golden pond is filled with conflict and resolution. When their daughter Chelsea arrives, the family is forced to renew the bonds of love and overcome the generational friction that has existed for years. (Sourced from Letterboxd).
Over in the Pop Corner, (the Poop Corner??) we talk about: Bitter Karella's Moonflow, Francesca de Tores' Saltblood, the Godzilla-themed short films Coming Out and Gigi, the Joker as trans icon, a brand new Georges Mรฉliรจs short film??, Blue Moon, the YouTube channel Musora, Bad Bunny at the Superbowl, a new Lana Del Rey single and of course Wuthering Heights after our much-hyped fundraiser viewing. If you're listening to this and you didn't see Once Upon A Time in Homowood, sorry to say you missed out โ but you still have time to catch Matt's other Fringe show, Tolerance which is on this week!
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Saltburn โ it's the dumb person's idea of a smart movie. Luckily we're all dummies and we are ready to LICK this salt.
Struggling to find his place at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton, who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric familyโs sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten. (Sourced from Letterboxd).
Pop corner kernels include: the Trans Theatre festival in Melbourne, the Lord of the Rings trilogy up on the big screen, Marty Supreme, The Secret Agent and Hamnet. We also share some thoughts on the Oscar nominations and take a long diversion into how tall various movie stars are.
If you liked this taste of Fennell and want a little more in your life, come along to our fundraiser screening of "Wuthering Heights" on February 12th! Tickets available here. We're fundraising for Once Upon A Time in Homowood, our show in this year's NZ Fringe. Tickets are on sale for our 17 - 21 February season right now. See you there xx
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We're back for our first real episode of 2026! We saw the Big Blue Boys again and let me tell you those returns are diminishing.
In the wake of the devastating war against the RDA and the loss of their eldest son, Jake Sully and Neytiri face a new threat on Pandora: the Ash People, a violent and power-hungry Naโvi tribe led by the ruthless Varang. Jakeโs family must fight for their survival and the future of Pandora in a conflict that pushes them to their emotional and physical limits. (Sourced from Letterboxd).
Over in a bumper post-summer Pop Corner, we talk the video game Kinophobia, the short stories of Ursula K LeGuin, The Apartment (1960), Opening Night (1974), the Nebula original show Scav, *pant*, Hamnet (the book - movie discussion next ep!), Alison Rumfitt's Tell Me I'm Worthless, *pant*, the Odyssey, Some Of My Best Friends Are... (1971), *breathless inhale*, Marlon Williams: Ngฤ Ao E Rua (Two Worlds), Jay Kelly, Hedda, West Side Story (2021), Elio, Nickel Boys (2024), Roofman, Blithe Spirit (1945), *last desperate gulp of air*, If I Had Legs I'd Kick You.
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We bid farewell to the year gone by with a round up of our favourite films of 2025. From arthouse to blockbusters, international cinema to Aotearoa-grown, the Mixed Bag trio have a lot to say about a bunch of films that will never feature on this podcast because they are too good.
We'll be back soon with our first real episode of the year discussing Avatar: Fire and Ash!
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"You there, boy, what day is it?"
"Why, it's Mixedmas, sir!"
Celebrate the festive season with the most of Mixed of all Mixed films, Mixed Nuts! We're joined, as is tradition, by the Ghost of Christmas Pod, Lucas Neal. Letterboxd describes this simply as "The events of a crisis hotline business on one crazy night during the Christmas holidays." It's a French farce with a lot more suicide jokes than you'd expect for a Christmas film, we can tell you that much.
Over in the Pop Corner, we chat Wake Up Dead Man and Wicked: For Good, plus shout outs to Castration Movie, Herculine by Grace Byron, the video game Is This Seat Taken?, Stranger Things, Die My Love and Train Dreams.
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His mind...
Our final movie from this round of personal picks as we look forward to the holiday season. We discover that one of the hosts has her own cognitive malfunctions to deal with (Paul Bettany face blindness). We reminisce about Jamie's close personal connection to Jennifer Connelly. We forgive Matt for his bad takes about Anomalisa (Cass writes the blurbs).
From the heights of notoriety to the depths of depravity, John Forbes Nash Jr. experiences it all. As a brilliant but socially awkward mathematician, he made a groundbreaking discovery early in his career and stands on the brink of international acclaim. But as the handsome and arrogant Nash accepts secret work in cryptography, he becomes entangled in a mysterious conspiracy. His life takes a nightmarish turn and he soon finds himself on a painful and harrowing journey of self-discovery. (Sourced from Letterboxd).
Pop Corner covers The Red Shoes (1948), Amelie the Musical, Gretchen Felker-Martin's Black Flag, Ivy Wolk's episode of StraightioLab, the Pixies and our upcoming Fringe show, Once Upon A Time in Homowood. If you listen to this podcast you are the direct target audience for the show, so come along!
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Cass worked a full 16-hour day the day before recording this pod so she worried she would fall asleep on mic. Instead, she decided to let herself be fuelled by hatred as she brings one of her least favourite movies to the pod for her personal pick. Matt's a fan, Cass is a foe, but at least all three hosts can agree that the film looks good.
Anomalisa is a stop-motion animated film written by Charlie Kaufman about a man who sees everyone else in the world as having the same face and voice. When he meets Lisa, who appears to be the only exception, he is instantly besotted.
We'd love to hear your takes on Anomalisa - message us on Instagram or email [email protected] if you love this film, hate it, or have anything else you want to share! Also, in Pop Corner we talk about Miss Major Speaks, the films of Lynne Ramsay, Stress Positions, the YouTube show Interior Motives, the podcast Three Bean Salad, The History of Sound, and Rosalรญa's album Lux.
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It's time for Jamie's Personal Pick, and you know she's gonna choose a big ol' Dyke Drama. Some Sapphic Cinema. A Movie for Muff-Divers. So she's chosen a movie about one of the world's gayest sports, roller derby, featuring a pre-transition Elliot Page and bi-con Alia Shawkat and... NO LESBIAN CHARACTERS!?!? ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ Can it be true?!?!?
In Bodeen, Texas, an indie-rock loving misfit finds a way of dealing with her small-town misery after she discovers a roller derby league in nearby Austin. (Sourced from Letterboxd).
Join the team as they grapple with this egregious display of lez erasure. In Pop Corner they also discuss Hamnet (Maggie O'Farrell), Over The Garden Wall, Lily Allen's West End Girl and Elliot Page's own Pageboy.
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It's spooooooky season so it's time for the Foe of the Podcast, Mike Bryant, to arise from his crypt once again and bless the pod with another scary feature that is mixed in quality.
This time around, we're travelling just a decade ago to Goosebumps (2015) starring Jack Black, based on R. L. Stine's children's horror novel series of the same name.
After moving to a small town, Zach Cooper finds a silver lining when he meets next door neighbor Hannah, the daughter of bestselling Goosebumps series author R.L. Stine. When Zach unintentionally unleashes real monsters from their manuscripts and they begin to terrorize the town, itโs suddenly up to Stine, Zach and Hannah to get all of them back in the books where they belong. (Sourced from Letterboxd)
Will this Jumanji imitator be more Jumanji (1995) than Jumanji (2017)? Will Zach, Hannah and Champ ever find meaningful character development and most important of all, what is YOUR favourite Goosebumps book? All this and more with the terrific Mike and a bumper Pop Corner as we haven't caught up in ages. Happy Halloween Baghags and may your treats be well mixed with all sorts of sweets!
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We cap off Tissue Box Office with a film where the tragic death is of not a long-haired brunette, but a short-haired blond! And also, he's a dog.
A newly married couple, in the process of starting a family, learn many of lifeโs important lessons from their trouble-loving retriever, Marley. Packed with plenty of laughs to lighten the load, the film explores the highs and lows of marriage, maturity and confronting oneโs own mortality, as seen through the lens of family life with a dog. (Sourced from Letterboxd)
Over in the Pop Corner, we talk about One Battle After Another, Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery, Prime Minister, Spettacolo! (2017), Marwencol (2010), Pavements, When We Were Trans by Kit Heyam, Corpses, Fools and Monsters by Willow Maclay and Caden Gardner and this new album by some lady called "Tailor Swiffed" that people are listening to for some reason (Cass wrote this).
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We are Jamie-obsessed on this next installation of Tissue Box Office, to the extent where everyone keeps accidentally renaming Ryan Gosling's character after our beloved cohost. While it's clear the whole Mixed Bag trio are bona fide Gos-heads, what do they think about the film that launched a million teen girl crushes?
An epic love story centered around an older man who reads aloud to a woman with Alzheimerโs. From a faded notebook, the old manโs words bring to life the story about a couple who is separated by World War II, and is then passionately reunited, seven years later, after they have taken different paths. (Sourced from Letterboxd).
Plus, in Pop Corner we talk Gloria (1980), A Dream of a Woman by Casey Plett, Dear Zachary (2008), Survivor: Australia vs. the World, Splitsville and the 2025 Emmy Awards.
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We continue on our journey through the wonderful world of weepies with 2002's A Walk to Remember, the sleepover classic beloved by every teen girl who ever said "I can fix him."
When the popular, restless Landon Carter is forced to participate in the school drama production, he falls in love with Jamie Sullivan, the daughter of the townโs minister. Jamie has a โto-doโ list for her life, as well as a very big secret she must keep from Landon. (Sourced from Letterboxd).
This episode we put forth our theory of straight-haired brunette death and the dead sister phenomenon. Plus, pop corner discussion of Baldur's Gate 3, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Detroit: Become Human, Man's Best Friend (Sabrina Carpenter), The Straight Line Was A Lie (The Beths), Jaws (1970) and The Naked Gun.
- Visa fler
